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Analysis: Stephen Nolan interview was a 'bit of a damp squib'

Broadcaster Stephen Nolan was interviewed by TUV leader Jim Allister. Picture by Stephen Nolan/ Twitter
Broadcaster Stephen Nolan was interviewed by TUV leader Jim Allister. Picture by Stephen Nolan/ Twitter Broadcaster Stephen Nolan was interviewed by TUV leader Jim Allister. Picture by Stephen Nolan/ Twitter

IT had the potential to be explosive and akin to a dramatic court room battle.

Former barrister Jim Allister squaring up to Stephen Nolan in a small Coleraine studio as the presenter attempted to defend his £450,000 pay packet.

But in the simple words of one listener, "it was a bit of a damp squib".

For years, Nolan has shone the spotlight on others - from politicians to figures in our health service - and has made a name for himself by holding others to account.

But the tables were turned on the broadcaster yesterday when he went under the microscope.

Amid continuing controversy over his hefty BBC salary, Nolan was grilled by the TUV leader on his own show.

Mr Allister started with all guns blazing booming down the airwaves that "it's the biggest show in the country presented by the man with the biggest pay packet in BBC NI"

It began with potential as the politician warned Nolan he would be the one "asking the questions" and it appeared he was ready to do battle accusing him the radio host of being a "man who has ran away" and "ducked and dived" from revealing his salary in the past.

But in the end, he failed to stop Nolan in his tracks.

Time and time again, Nolan dodged the questions and laid the blame with the BBC for enforcing restrictions that meant he was unable to give details of the specific amounts he is paid for his work with the corporation.

He also declined to say how much money was brought in by his production company through the BBC.

"What do you want me to do, defy my managers?" Nolan asked.

For the man whose job is to ask questions and demand straight answers, it was a pretty weak defence.

"You are hiding behind the BBC", said Mr Allister - and he was right.

And in typical Nolan style, the tables slowly began to turn again as the interviewee became the interviewer. It wasn't long before Nolan probed Mr Allister about his earnings as a barrister.

In the end, it was a frustrating interview to listen to - there was more heat than light shed on the whole issue.

And how embarrassing it is that the main line I remember from the show was a caller likening the interview to "an episode of Only Fools and Horses - except funnier".

Was it really Del Boy and Rodney in that studio?